Expo sets out innovation spots

Advanced Engineering, the UK’s annual gathering of engineering and manufacturing professionals taking place on 1-2 November 2023 at the NEC in Birmingham, will stage a host of products and technologies in exclusive innovation spots.

Among the special exhibits pushing the boundaries of technology and progress will be: a prototype of the ThrustWSH boat, accompanied by a presentation from former land speed record holder Richard Noble OBE; a Formula 1 car and eVTOL drones displayed by MGI Engineering; virtual reality and augmented reality demonstrated by SCU Motorsport as part of its 3D learning environment for students; a patented drop pod demonstrated by space engineering company Gravitilab Aerospace Services.
For further information www.advancedengineeringuk.com

Onwards and upwards

The Vigilance Group, comprising MACH Machine Tools and Machine Tool Sales Online (MTSO), has strengthened its sales operations in the Midlands with the appointment of Stuart Woolridge as its new Midlands area sales engineer.Having completed his apprenticeship at Triumph Motorcycles in Hinckley, where he qualified as a machine setter, Woolridge joined DMG Mori, firstas an applications engineer before gaining promotion to assistant engineering manager in double-quick time. He has significant experience in pre-sales and customer service.
For further information www.machmt.co.uk

New frontiers in composite part manufacture

CGTech, the developer of VERICUT verification, simulation and optimisation software, is announcing a reseller agreement with Bristol-based iCOMAT, pioneer of the first-ever defect-free tape-steering process for composite component production. The special worldwide arrangement will see iCOMAT sell and support a dedicated version of VERICUT VCP/VCS software in support of its patented manufacturing process for composites.

iCOMAT’s industrial cells comprise a proprietary tape-laying head mounted as an end effector to a state-of-the-art six-axis industrial robot arm, all located inside a safety cell. As part of this solution, programming and virtual simulation will come via a special version of VERICUT VCP (VERICUT Composites Programming)/VCS (VERICUT Composites Simulation) software complete with a new interface specifically for iCOMAT’s technology. iCOMAT will be the exclusive reseller of this software worldwide.
For further information www.cgtech.comwww.icomat.co.uk

Clearing sets student on path with F1 team

A Coventry University student is gearing up for a dream graduate position in Formula 1 after finding the perfect course through clearing.Titus Takyi Adarkwa, 22, will soon be playing a key role as part of former F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton’s team, having secured a graduate position in the quality department at Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains.

“I’ll be checking over the engines for Lewis Hamilton’s and George Russell’s Formula One cars, ensuring there are no defects,” says Adarkwa.“I will also be involved in examining the power units and seeing how they can be improved. It feels a bit daunting to be part of a team that has the drivers’ lives in its hands.There’s a lot of pressure, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

It’s been quite a journey for Adarkwa, who back in 2019 was facing some difficult choices after just missing out on the grades he needed to take up two university offers.Despite the setback, he set about looking for alternative courses, eventually finding his way to a clearing open day at Coventry University. The rest, as they say, is history.

“I’d been doing a bit of research on different universities and knew from attending Warwick previously that there was another university close by that lots of people were visiting, so I decided to take a look at Coventry’s clearing open day,” he says.

During his studies at Coventry, Adarkwa founded the university’s Manufacturing Society and, as president, organised a special live taskmaster event at the Ellen Terry building.
Coventry University’s established links with Mercedes helped put Adarkwa in the frame for the graduate position.
For further informationwww.bit.ly/3LrzI7x

Digital switch will boost Omnitool production

Irvine-based Omnitool – a family-run precision engineering business working in the oil and gas, renewables and nuclear sectors – is boosting its production capacity and plans to expand into new markets, create new jobs and cut emissions following the introduction of new digital tools and expertise.With £188,000 funding support from Innovate UK, Omnitool is working with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) to develop the skills required to implement its digital upgrade. The business hopes that the move will see machine idle time cut in half and production capacity increased by 10%.
For further information www.bit.ly/44R55PL